1984 09 04 CC Minutes$ MINUTFS
CITY COUNCIL CITY OF LA QUINTA
A regular meeting of the City
Council held at City Hall,
78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta,
California
September 4, 1984 7:30 p.m.
1. GALL 10 ORDER
Mayor Allen called the La Quinta City Council meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.
A. The flag salute was led by Mike Smith of J.F. Davidson Company.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Bajer, Cox, Wolff and Mayor Allen.
Absent: Council Member Henderson.
Also Present: City Manager Usher, Administrative Services Coordinator Jennings,
City Attorney Longtin, Community Development Director Stevens,
Community Safety Coordinator Brown.
Moved by Council Member Wolff, seconded by Council Member Cox, to excuse Council
Member Henderson. Unanimously adopted.
3. PUBLIC CO?ENT
Mayor Allen announced that this was the time set aside for citizens to address the
Council on matters pertaining to City business. Mayor Allen further announced that
the Council was initiating a new procedure relative to comments from the public,
whereby citizens would be allowed to comment on each agenda item, following the
staff presentation. The Mayor explained that these comments would be limited to
two minutes, and that citizens should fill out a form prior to the meeting indicating
which agenda item they wish to address. Mayor Allen further stated that the regular
procedure for non-agenda public comment would continue with a three-minute time limit.
There were no comments from the public.
4. WRITTEN COMUUNICATIONS
A. The City Manager presented a communication from Eugene Stormy' Fairweather
regarding public conduct during the Council meeting of August 21, 1984. The
City Manager explained that the letter constituted a formal complaint regarding
political activities of Audrey Ostrowsky at a Council meeting, which greatly
disrupted the meeting and distracted Mr. Fairweather from the intent of the
Council meeting.
Moved by Council Member Wolff, seconded by Council Member Baier, to establish
a Council policy that there is to be no campaigning for City Council or other
olitical office, at City Hall during Council meetings or at any other time.
Unanimously adopted.
5. COMMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. Council Member Wolff stated that he was pleased the Council had adopted his
recommendation to open Council meetings to further public comment, and stated
that he hoped this action would make citizens feel that they have a participatory
role at Council meetings.
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Page Two.
B. Council ember Wolff discussed concerns regarding flooding which occurs at
the Washington Street/Highway 111 intersection, particularly at the entrance
to Plaza La Quinta on Washington Street. It was moved by Council Member Wolff,
seconded by Council Member Cox, to instruct staff to investigate a long-range
Solution to this problem and proceed as soon as possible, and to direct the
City Manager to purchase a pump immediately to remove water from this location
and negotiate with neighboring property owners regarding drainage of this water
onto their property. Unanimously adopted
C. Council Member Wolff expressed concern regarding the parking of large, commercial
vehicles on residential lots within the Cove area, and requested Council concurrenc
in instructing the Community Safety Coordinator to investigate what other Valley
cities are doing to solve this problem, and report back to the Council at the
next Council meeting. Council Member Wolff stressed the need for a City ordinance
prohibiting these vehicles in residential areas. It was the concurrence of the
Council to instruct the Community Safety Coordinator to investigate this problem
and report back at the next meeting.
D. Mayor Allen stated that he was pleased to see three candidates for the November 6
Council election in attendance.
6. HEARINGS
A. The City Manager introduced a concurrent public hearing regarding Change of
B. Zone Case No. 84-012, a request to change the existing zoning from R?1*,
R?3*?4O00, and NA to R-2-20,0OO/PD to allow for a planned residential develop-
ment in accordance with Tentative Tract Map No. 20238, a planned residential
development with 672 condominium units, 51 single-family residential lots
oriented around an 18-hole golf course and tennis club on a 360-acre portion
of a 674-acre site, located generally south of Avenue 52 and east of Avenida
Bermudas, J. Burton Gold, Utopian Design and Development, Applicant, and asked
the Community Development Director to present a report from the Planning
Commission.
The Community Development Director presented the Planning Commission's report
on both i?ems, and explained that the requested change of zone was to facilitate
the development site, and that the request had been approved by the Planning
Commission on August 14, 1984, following a public hearing. He reported that
the Planning Commission had concurred with staff regarding the recommended
zoning as designated the the staff report dated August 14, 1984, and that major
points discussed by the Planning Commission had included the 17-foot height
limit on the golf and tennis clubhouses and a reduction in allowable density
from proposed zoning to that now existing. The Community Development Director
explained that staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the
Change of Zone request as indicated in the August 14, 1984, staff report and
subject to the Ordinance and exhibit map.
The Community Development Director further explained that following first
reading of the proposed Ordinance relative to the change of zone, Applicant
was requesting that adoption of the Ordinance be postponed until October 16,
1984, pending close of escrow. The Community Development Director stated that
this would be acceptable to staff, provided that a condition be added to the
tract map that states that the final map shall not be recorded until such time
as Zone Change Case No. 84-012 is effective.
The Cornnrunity Development Director presented a report from the Planning Commissi(
regarding Tentative Tract Map No. 20328, and stated that the Planning Commission
had held a public hearing regarding this matter on August 14, 1984, at which time
the Commission had recommended approval of the requested subdivision subject to
revised conditions as stated in the staff report dated August 15, 1984. The
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Community Development Director reviewed the Commission's changes to the conditions.
and recommended approval of Tentative Tract Map No. 20328, subject to the revised
conditions.
Following lengthy discussion between staff and Council regarding vacation of
Avenue 52 and future access to the Desert Club, Mayor Allen asked the Applicant
to present his report.
Mr. Joel Gold, 875 Swallow Way, Anaheim Hills, California, representing the
Applicant, addressed the Council and questioned the Council regarding the future
realignment of Avenue 52 and expressed concern regarding acceptance of excess
flood waters from the Cove. Mr. Gold stated that the Applicant would be willing
to accept the excess water only at the Durango intersection with Avepue 52, and
stated that Applicant would be willing to make up the difference in cost for
this consideration.
Mayor Allen opened the hearing to comment from the public at 8:30 p.m. Comments
were heard from the following persons:
1. Stanley Sniff, P.O. Box 1414, La Quinta, expressed opposition to the elevated
residential lot portion of the development, and urged the Council to
any further development until a master plan for the area is developed.
2. Dale Bohnenberger, 51-100 Calle Obispo, La Quinta, commended the Applicant on
the plan and for developing a plan which could be utilized in conjunction with
the stormwater design. Mr. urged the Council to approve the
proposed project.
3. Louis Campagna, P.O. Box 1286, La Quinta, asked if the developer of the
project had been asked to donate land or funds for a future school site.
The Community Development Director explained that the Applicant had been
required to pay City infrastructure fees and school mitigation fees. He
further explained that it was expected that recreational facilities would
be developed as part of the debris basin and stormwater project.
4. Jim Litchman, 77-480 Calle Durango, La Quinta, questioned the impact
the project would have on La Quinta 5 environment, i.e., water, traffic
flow and air quality, and asked if homeowners had been polled to see
what they would like to see as related to future development and a
master plan for La Quinta.
There being no further comment, the Mayor closed the hearing at 8:44 p.m.
The Council discussed the proposed project, with particular emphasis relative
to traffic flow and concern regarding hillside development. It was moved by
Council Member Wolff, seconded by Council Member Cox, to prohibit hillside
development, and request the City Attorney to draft an appropriate ordinance
for presentation to the Council. Unanimously adopted, with Council Member
Henderson absent.
After further discussion, it was moved by Council Member Wolff, seconded by
Council Member Cox, to approve Change of Zone Case No. 84-012, and waive
further reading and introduce the following Ordinance title read by the
City Manager):
PROPOSED ORDINANCE. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL CF ThE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE
OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR THE CITY, BY REZONING CERTAIN PROPERTY REFERRED TO IN
CIIANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 84-012.
Unanimously adopted, with Council Member Henderson absent. It was also noted
for the record that the second reading of the proposed Ordinance not occur
until October 16, 1984, or earlier, predicated upon close of escrow for the
subject property.
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Moved by Council Member Wolff, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve
Tentative Tract Map No. 20328, subject to the conditions and revisions as
presented by staff. Unanimously adopted, with Council Member Henderson absent.
Mayor Allen adjourned the meeting for a brief recess at 8:58 p.m. The Mayor
readjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by Council Member Wolff, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the
Consent Calendar.
Roll Call Vote:
AYES: Council Members Baier, Cox, Wolff and Mayor Allen.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Council Member Henderson.
A. The Minutes of the regular Council meeting held August 7, 1984, were approved
as submitted.
B. The Minutes of the regular Council meeting held August 21, 1984, were approved
as corrected.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 84-63. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ThE CITY
OF LA UINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING flEN?S.
D. Approval of Final Tract Map No. 20218, and acceptance of letters of credit
guaranteeing the construction of improvements.
8. BUSINESS SESSION
A. The City Manager explained that the Council would continue discussion regardin
alternative plans and preliminary cost estimates for improvements to Dune
Palms Road at the Whitewater Storm Channel crossing, and asked the Community
Development Director to present the staff report.
The Community Development Director explained that the issue of improvements
at the Dune Palms Road Stormwater channel crossing related to three tentative
tract map proposals which were approved with conditions which currently require
a contribution for future improvements. He further explained that the City
Engineer had prepared four alternate plans with varying levels of road and
drainage protection improvements for the Dune Palms Road Crossing, with prelim-
inary cost estimates being between $56,000 and $4,800,000.
The Community Development Director further explained that after consulting
with the City Engineer, the Engineer felt that Dune Palms crossing should be
kept at a minimum improvement condition and improved and/or maintained as
necessary, with priority given to beginning a fund for major improvements
to the Jefferson Street crossing, where an all-weather crossing would be more
feasible. Mr. Stevens explained that it would be staff's recommendation that
Council direct the Community Development Director to review each of the affected
tracts anci bring them back for an appropriate amendment to the condition
and to bring back a recommendation for a contribution to the Jefferson Street
improvement as part of that process.
Moved by Council Member Wolff, seconded by Council Member Ccx, to direct the
Community Development Director to review each of the affected tracts and
bring them back for appropriate amendments to the conditions previously
imposed regarding the Dune Palms crossing, and return with recommendation
relative to the Jefferson Street improvement as part of this process.
Unanimously adopted, with Council Member Henderson absent.
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B. The City Manager presented a report from the Community Development Director
regarding the General Plan Advisory Committee. The Community Development
Director recommended the addition of two members to complete the appointments,
and explained that David Jones and Charles White had been recommended as
appointees to the G.P.A.C. The Community Development Director indicated that
both people had indicated willingness to serve on the G.P.A.C. if appointed.
Moved by Council Member Cox, seconded by Council Member Baier, to appoint
David Jones and Charles White to the General Plan Advisory Committee.
Unanimously adopted, with Council Member Henderson absent.
C. The City Manager presented a report regarding a contract with the La Quinta
Arts Foundation for F.Y. 1984-1985, and recommended that Council approve the
Agreement. He further explained that the contract would provide for sponsorship
of arts classes for La Quinta youth, in addition to implementation of the
1985 La Quinta Arts Festival.
Moved by Council Member Cox, seconded by Council Member Baier, to a contract
with the La Quinta Arts Foundation for Fiscal Year 1984-1985. Unanimously
adopted, with Council Member Henderson absent.
9. ADJoURNMENT
Mayor Allen adjourned the meeting at 9:19 p.m.
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of La Quinta was adjourned
Tuesday, September 4, 1984, at 9:19 p.m., at City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado,
La Quinta, California.
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